My Music Staff Web Hosting
For my piano studio website, I’ve been using WordPress for years, paying a hefty annual fee for web hosting. Recently, I decided to stop that and use the website builder that comes with My Music Staff, which I’m already paying for. Here are a few thoughts.
Selecting Bluetooth Speakers
I recently added a pair of Bluetooth-enabled, nearfield studio monitors to my piano studio. Every...
A New Tool for Lesson Planning
If I go to the grocery store without a list . . . . I probably don't need to finish that sentence....
Sometimes It’s the Little Things
I know it's happened to you too. You're midway through the end-of-year piano recital when the...
Ditch the Tick
"That clock is driving me crazy!" Cedric had his hands perched on the keyboard. He was about to...
Have you tested your contact form lately?
The contact form on my piano studio website was broken. For how long? I have no idea. I’m sharing my mistake so you can avoid making it!
Arranging “There Is a Balm in Gilead”
This past December, I had the good fortune to attend a Christmas concert by the choral group, Chanticleer. It was an hour filled with stunningly gorgeous music that left me with goosebumps galore!
Lyric Pieces for Solo Piano, by William Gillock
Lyric Pieces for Solo Piano by William Gillock was first published in 1994, but it remains one of my favorite collections of piano solos for early intermediate students.
Double-Duty Music
Since I work both as a piano teacher and as a church musician, I enjoy the challenge of composing...
Laugh a Little
His fingers were collapsing as he played, so I picked up my phone and took a close-up video of his...
Engaging with Students over Holiday Break
We take a three-week break for the holidays in my piano studio. That's a pretty long time not...
Two Christmas Duets
I still remember vividly the first time my piano teacher played a duet with me. I was absolutely...
Creating a Seamless Musical Experience
Has the Carpenter's Christmas Portrait album ever held a spot on your holiday music rotation? I...
Quick-Win Pieces
Sometimes, we piano teachers just need some quick-win pieces to keep our students encouraged and moving forward. What are some of the pieces that have worked well for you?
Halloween At Its Best!
There is a wealth of fun, well-written Halloween music for piano students, but some of my favorite...
Collaborative Playing
In my studio, summer is a great time to let students work on collaborative projects. Schedules...
On Fostering Creativity
"I want to work on song writing in my piano lessons this summer," Dylan said. "Okay, get some...
Say Yes to Silly
"If I had a third arm, I could play this duet all by myself," Annie commented after learning both...
Sometimes, a listen is worth a thousand words.
Chase, age 12, was playing The Christmas Song. You know the one: "Chestnuts roasting...
On Being Flexible
"I hate that piece!" Patrick responded after hearing Simple Gifts, the next piece in his method...
Halloween Lessons
Do you teach on Halloween, or do you take the day off, knowing your younger students...
The Scheduling Puzzle
Are you stressing over setting up your fall teaching schedule? It’s that dreaded time...
Google Photos for Piano Teachers
Teaching piano, I use my smartphone camera in lessons every day. I photograph...
“Mashed Potato Clouds” by Diane Hidy
"My dream has finally come true! I get to play Mashed Potato...